New Podcast and a Winning Streak!

First and foremost, happy holidays to everyone out there in Rangerland. Eric and I did a podcast just prior to this afternoon’s win in snowy Philly, so check it out. We talk about the Sather rumors, the benching of Kotalik and Redden and what is left for the Rangers in the year 2009. Remember to get your comments/questions in at hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Just a couple brief comments on today’s win against the Flyers since it wasn’t addressed in the podcast. It’s the first time since November 23 & 25 New York has won back to back games – not a friendly statistic. With that said, the Rangers managed to climb to 9th in the Eastern Conference standings, just two points shy of Florida (which has played two more games than the Rangers). As you will hear in the podcast, the schedule is very kind to New York for the rest of the month and presents a great opportunity to string some W’s together.

As for the game itself, I’m still very concerned about the goalie situation. Hank was spectacular once again, but when is this guy going to get a breather? If the Rangers don’t do something soon to give him a night off at some point then all this wear and tear could catch up to him.

I have to give a lot of props to a few guys – Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. Drury seems to have taken the demotion well and has used it as motivation to pick up his play. In the last two games he has doubled his goal total on the season (from two to four, yeah that’s how bad he has been). Hopefully this is enough to spark him the rest of the way. Callahan seems possessed at this point. His game is at a level at which we haven’t seen since last season. I truly believe he’s “back” and poised for a great couple of months. You can just see how confident he is on the ice. Dubinsky has been phenomenal since his return from the wrist injury. The goal scoring isn’t there at this point, but I think that will come shortly. He’s skating very well and is bringing a lot of energy to the game. Anisimov netted the game winner in the second period today and has put together two consecutive great performances.

Notice the fact that I haven’t mentioned Gaborik’s name until now. The production from him is a constant in this lineup, but the problem was that it was the only constant. The four names I mentioned above are the kind of players the Rangers need to keep seeing production from if they are going to win. It’s no coincidence that they have won two straight games and production has come from players other than Gaborik. Let the good times roll.

P.S. – All I want for Christmas is for Donald Brashear to be off this team.